tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17063419847208110672014-10-19T20:10:16.792-05:00Stewart's Adoption BlogIn 2009 my family adopted a child from Russia. All of our friends wanted to know how a single income family was able to save for a debt-free adoption. We are now adopting twin girls from Uganda. This blog is how God has grown our family.Holly Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01036505769141596868noreply@blogger.comBlogger178125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1706341984720811067.post-51109598958742045382013-07-30T12:39:00.001-05:002013-07-30T12:39:09.214-05:00NEW SITEPlease visit us at our new site.<br /><a href="http://www.laughterforme.com/">www.laughterforme.com</a>Holly Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01036505769141596868noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1706341984720811067.post-30962291187250000902013-07-29T12:24:00.001-05:002013-07-29T12:24:07.660-05:00Its Been A WhileI know its been too long since I have shared the craziness of my life with you all. &nbsp;But crazy it has been. &nbsp;The last post was about losing control of everything and being okay with it. &nbsp;Wow, I did not know when I wrote that just how much control would be lost or that as I was writing it life was changing, life was forming, and life was growing. &nbsp;You see very quickly, almost immediately after returning home from Uganda, I once again made the mistake of telling God my plan for the next year of my life. &nbsp;I was going to have an "easy" year; a year of no major life changes. &nbsp;Once again my God taught me the lesson that my ways are not His ways. &nbsp;<div>It was the Tuesday after Memorial Day, I had to take the girls to the local Health Department. &nbsp;So I ventured out with all four under the age of four at the time. &nbsp;The appointment was long, two hours in a small room with four crazy kids. &nbsp;Two hours of making puppets out of tongue depressers, drawing pictures on the paper sheet, and singing songs just loud enough so the staff didn't forget they had put us in that room. &nbsp;It wore me out, I was exhausted, spent. &nbsp;On the way home I was thinking wow this jet lag is taking way too long to get over. &nbsp;I should be back to normal by now, it is taking too much coffee to function everyday. &nbsp;Then I had a thought just as I was driving by our local Target. &nbsp;So we stopped at Target, my exhausted self unloaded four kids out of carseats, manipulated two into the cart, and convinced two to walk. &nbsp;I went to the pharmacy and picked out what I wanted. &nbsp;I then took the kids down the candy aisle to pick up a sweet for them and for me to munch on to help me stay awake. &nbsp;They picked out a huge bag of gummy bears, most of which were consumed by me. &nbsp;Once we got home and unloaded, I had something I had to do. &nbsp;I put the TV on to entertain the herd and I went into my bathroom. &nbsp;Where my world changed.</div><div>That was they day I learned about number five. &nbsp;Yes, if you don't personally know me I was pregnant. &nbsp;We filled the cliche, complete an adoption and get pregnant. &nbsp;This was hard news for me to process, not because the pregnancy was unwanted just unplanned. &nbsp;His plans are way bigger than my plans. &nbsp;I was so overwhelmed by the thought of another child to care for, more laundry ontop of the already enourmous mountain. &nbsp;I was struggling with four how was I going to do it with five. &nbsp;It took me a couple of days to come to terms with what a fifth would mean for our family. &nbsp;It even took a couple more months for us to share the news. &nbsp;</div><div>The thought of a fifth child was overwhelming in more ways the one. &nbsp;More than just the work, the mouth to feed, and sleepless nights. &nbsp;It was overwhelming to me because it reminded me of how much my heavenly Father knows my heart and my desires. &nbsp;And how He works for my good. &nbsp;</div><div>When we chose to become an adopting family we chose to persue God's plan for our family. &nbsp;To act on a dream. &nbsp;But with that new dream came the death of an old dream. &nbsp;I learned to accept the fact that I would not nurse another baby of mine and I would not smell that new baby scent. &nbsp;Completing the adoption of Hadley and Liana to me meant that I would not know all the joys of a new baby again. &nbsp;It was hard, but God filled that desire. &nbsp;He chose to give us another child to disciple in His ways.&nbsp;</div><div>Our little surprise is now 6 months old. &nbsp;Life is definitely crazy, we are probably very entertaining to watch. &nbsp;There are kids everywhere. &nbsp;Our house is full. &nbsp;Our quiver is full. &nbsp;Our hands are full. &nbsp;But more importantly our hearts are full.</div>Holly Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01036505769141596868noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1706341984720811067.post-10531057477516883322012-04-27T16:24:00.001-05:002012-04-27T16:24:47.125-05:00Loss of Control<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:DocumentProperties> <o:Template>Normal</o:Template> <o:Revision>0</o:Revision> <o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:Pages>1</o:Pages> <o:Words>318</o:Words> <o:Characters>1818</o:Characters> <o:Company>Home</o:Company> <o:Lines>15</o:Lines> <o:Paragraphs>3</o:Paragraphs> <o:CharactersWithSpaces>2232</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:Version>10.260</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:UseMarginsForDrawingGridOrigin/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <br /><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent">One of the hardest lessons I have learned is the loss of control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>During the past 29 years I have had learned this lesson in small portions of my life at a time but never before in everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Never before have I lost total control of all aspects in my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Growing up you do not have control over your diet or schedule but I always had my room, my headless Barbie dolls to play with, and my cabbage patch dolls with home haircuts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I had control over their world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I remember playing with Barbie and having her go on crazy adventures, she had a jeep and RV, our Barbie went camping a lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Part of the appeal of playing dolls was control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I could control what they did, what they wore, and how they behaved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I remember thinking as all kids do<i>when I get older I will set the rules, I will be in control</i><span style="font-style: normal;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Wrong.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">Africa took all control from me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>While in Uganda I lost control of everything, I was learning that my life is not my own, it is not my own to control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It is His life and I need to let Him control it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>By letting God control our family decisions our family has taken a path that we could never have planned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I never could have planned a homemade daughter, Russian son, and two Ugandan daughters, two dogs, eight chickens, and the best husband. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">I was looking forward to returning to our home in Tennessee partly to regain control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I wanted to make the decisions again over what I ate at my meals and when my house got cleaned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Don’t get me wrong the staff in Uganda was AMAZING but the control freak in my wanted to do these things myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Little did I know returning to a house with four little kids running around would mean no control, no organization, and pure craziness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>In fact the pure craziness is far better than I could have ever imagined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It is wild, the kids have a blast, we have a blast, and life is fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>They know that mommy and daddy love them and more importantly Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>So if my control for the day is yelling out the door <i>please wear pants if you are going to play in the front yard</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> I will take it and enjoy it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Our family is learning to find comfort in this loss of control and that only comes from knowing that our Heavenly Father holds it in His hands.<o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment-->Holly Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01036505769141596868noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1706341984720811067.post-1231244788338008472012-04-17T20:38:00.000-05:002012-04-17T20:38:20.105-05:00Home At LastI know this is long overdue and for that I apologize but we are home. &nbsp;Actually we made it home a few weeks ago. &nbsp;I am late with this post because coming home after months with four toddlers in the house is crazy and a lot of work. &nbsp;But I love every bit of it and am bathing in the craziness that is my life.<br />Coming home came with extra drama as is typical for my family in this adoption process. &nbsp;During what I thought would be my last day in Uganda I picked up the girls passports with the much desired visas stamped inside them, I packed one suitcase to take home, gave away everything else, visited with the staff at the home, and visited with the orphanage director. &nbsp;After that we were off, I successfully bathed and fed all four kids and got them ready to go. &nbsp;I tried to be as prepared as possible because I was to make the trip to Amsterdam with the four kiddos by myself, Chad met us in Amsterdam. &nbsp;However, after our two hour car ride to the airport in the middle of the night my heart was broken once again. &nbsp;This was supposed to be a glorious day, a wonderful day, the end and begining of an adventure but once again God had different plans.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;Once we arrived at the airport the airport officials quickly pointed out a typo on the girls visas. &nbsp;I could not believe it there was a tiny little mistake and we could not get on the plane. &nbsp;Fortunately the embassy was able to correct the issue the next day and get us on flights the following night. &nbsp;As I mentioned I had given everything away, our room at the guest house had even been occupied once we left. &nbsp;Therefore for our last day in Uganda we had to rummage through the donation bin at the house for clothing to wear and slept in a tiny room with a twin bed in it. &nbsp;It made for one last Ugandan adventure before we came to America.<br />Once I arrived in Amsterdam I was thrilled, more than excited to see Chad get off of his plane. &nbsp;We were together all six of us, it did not matter that it was not America yet, all that mattered was that our family was together. &nbsp;We then quickly learned that our flight from Amsterdam to America was way over booked. &nbsp;After speaking with the KLM staff we volunteered our family to be bumped from the flight. &nbsp;We would catch the next flight 24 hours later to America. &nbsp;This was a true blessing for our family for many reasons; it gave us precious family time, it helped ease the jet lag and the rest of the travel, and the compensation helped pay for our trip home. &nbsp;So we had a little vacation in Amsterdam, stayed at a nice hotel in the airport, the girls had their first taste of McDonalds Happy Meals, and the kids played for hours in the airport playgrounds. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8BkG62y8iio/T44a7RXxscI/AAAAAAAAAc4/iaz6S1w8uFg/s1600/Airport.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8BkG62y8iio/T44a7RXxscI/AAAAAAAAAc4/iaz6S1w8uFg/s320/Airport.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The following day we continued on with our trip home. &nbsp;Fortunately the rest of the trip came without drama. &nbsp;All four kids were great for the flights and were on their best behavior. &nbsp;We were greated by an overwhelming welcome party when we arrived at the airport.Holly Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01036505769141596868noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1706341984720811067.post-61419922114758778502012-03-27T05:12:00.001-05:002012-03-27T15:01:24.256-05:00Last Few Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X66WJ2TZAlI/T3GRY1oKrjI/AAAAAAAAAcw/St4l8YmZ8xI/s1600/DSC02601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X66WJ2TZAlI/T3GRY1oKrjI/AAAAAAAAAcw/St4l8YmZ8xI/s320/DSC02601.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Last week we began our countdown of when we would be leaving.&nbsp; The kids helped make a paper chain and every evening we remove a link.&nbsp; I can't believe there are only two links left.&nbsp; We will leave Uganda tomorrow evening and should be arriving in Tennessee on Thursday evening.&nbsp; See you soon.Holly Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01036505769141596868noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1706341984720811067.post-13921104379491040232012-03-16T23:07:00.001-05:002012-03-17T02:09:06.064-05:00This Week, A Glorious WeekThis week has been a whirlwind of emotion.&nbsp; I have experienced some of my lowest lows followed 24 hours later&nbsp;by my highest high in years.<br />On Monday we made the decision for Chad to return to America.&nbsp; This was not an easy decision.&nbsp; This left me being a single mom in Africa to four young children.&nbsp; But I was happy with it because the kids were with me.&nbsp; Chad decided to return to his job because for the past few weeks that he has been here we have been hitting walls on the paperwork front.&nbsp; The best case scenario we could get was that we might be able to come home in two months.&nbsp; We dreamed too little.&nbsp; My God is Great and can do anything.<br />So Monday night Chad got on a plane.&nbsp; I did not know when I would see him again.&nbsp; He did not know when he would love on his children again, but my God knew.&nbsp; Monday night was hard, two of the four kids cried&nbsp;including myself.&nbsp; Nobody slept well and the mood was quite depressing.<br />Then came Wednesday.&nbsp; I will always remember Wednesday.&nbsp; Chad was home in Tennessee.&nbsp; I did not plan on hearing from him because the jet lag is a nightmare.&nbsp; I left my cell phone upstairs in my room charging while the power was on and the kids and I were in the courtyard riding on their play bodas.&nbsp; I thought I heard my phone ringing so I ran upstairs and noticed about a dozen missed calls from Chad.&nbsp; First thoughts, oh no what has happened?&nbsp;&nbsp; The first thing he said to me was "We have been approved."&nbsp; What, Approved, What does he mean by this, Is this some cruel joke.&nbsp; He promised me it was true, the girls had been approved for visas.&nbsp; Tears.<br />I had been telling everybody that stayed with me at the house that the day we got approved I would be shouting, that they would be able to hear me in America.&nbsp; Did you hear me?&nbsp; I basically went running around the house like a crazy person shouting, singing, yelling, and praising. <br />One of my numerous thoughts was how did this happen.&nbsp; How did they get approved, nothing we have done has been successful.&nbsp; I quickly realized it was nothing I did, it was my God.&nbsp; The past few months I have been working frantically on trying to get my girls home.&nbsp; I have felt like every opportunity has ended up with doors slamming in my face.&nbsp; Once all the doors were shut the windows began to fall close at an alarmingly quick speed.&nbsp; Option were running out.&nbsp; Why? More Glory to God.&nbsp; God shut all the doors and windows, He made the lawyers hit every road block imaginable (I have had three lawyers working on this), He had Chad come and fail at bringing us home, He had us fail at every possible attempt.&nbsp; All so He could succeed.&nbsp; So we could be shown that He is Lord.&nbsp;&nbsp;I have witnessed a modern day miracle this week and I will never be the same.&nbsp; Share our joy this week as we prepare for life in America.&nbsp; Give no one the Glory but Jesus.Holly Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01036505769141596868noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1706341984720811067.post-72265726327208536502012-03-14T12:07:00.001-05:002012-03-14T12:07:03.946-05:00HALLELUJAHShouting, crying, praises<br />HALLELUJAH<br /><br />I can't share any details now but we will ALL be home very shortly.Holly Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01036505769141596868noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1706341984720811067.post-8984671180001154802012-03-06T05:35:00.002-06:002012-03-06T05:35:11.788-06:00All I Need<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YGavmquJ7_Q/T1X1uiLH_iI/AAAAAAAAAco/4Gxphe6GFI8/s1600/DSC02513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YGavmquJ7_Q/T1X1uiLH_iI/AAAAAAAAAco/4Gxphe6GFI8/s320/DSC02513.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />This past week has been wonderful, one of the best I have had in a long time.&nbsp; All six Stewarts have been on the same continent, in the same country, and in the same house.&nbsp; The kids have been playing together wonderfully, like they have always been together.&nbsp; It is amazing to have all that I need in this world together again.&nbsp; I do not need my house, my cars, or any of my other stuff.&nbsp; I have survived just fine on what will fit in two suitcases but what I do need is my family and that I&nbsp;now&nbsp;have.<br />Thank you so&nbsp;much to&nbsp;everyone who helped get Chad, Sadie, and Nolen ready for their great adventure.Holly Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01036505769141596868noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1706341984720811067.post-1502656503007905522012-02-22T02:48:00.000-06:002012-02-22T02:48:28.870-06:00Back Together Again: SoonThese past few months have been hard.&nbsp; I would not be being honest if I said otherwise.&nbsp; In fact there have been days where if they were rough that would have been an improvement.&nbsp; Most of these difficult times have been due to the seperation of myself from Chad, Sadie, and Nolen.&nbsp; I can handle the mosquitoes, sunburn, no electricity, rice and beans for days to eat, and the boredom but the loneliness is the hardest to bear.&nbsp; Whoever created the saying "absence makes the heart grow fonder" did not experience this.&nbsp; They did not miss tucking their children into bed at night, reading them bedtime stories, kissing their injuries; they did not miss Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Birthdays, Russian Christmas, and everything else in between.<br />But my hope has returned and it has a date.&nbsp; On next Wednesday, in one week, I will tuck four kids into bed, I will kiss four foreheads, I will wash the African red dirt off of&nbsp;eight little&nbsp;feet, we will be a family again.&nbsp; On Monday Feb. 27 Chad, Sadie, and Nolen will be once again crossing the Atlantic on their way to Uganda.&nbsp; And for this I am one excited Momma.&nbsp; They will arrive here in the early hours of Wednesday morning and I will up waiting.Holly Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01036505769141596868noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1706341984720811067.post-50965925835094501982012-02-17T07:49:00.000-06:002012-02-17T07:49:52.570-06:00Vote for MeThe blog has been entered into Circle of Moms Top 25 Inspirational Blogs contest.&nbsp; You can vote up to once a day by clicking on the icon below or on the upper right corner of the blog.&nbsp; Thank you for voting.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.circleofmoms.com/top25/Top-25-Moms-with-Inspiring-Families-2012?trk=t25_Top-25-Moms-with-Inspiring-Families-2012" target="_blank" title="Circle of Moms Top 25 Moms with Inspiring Families - 2012 - Vote for me!"><img src="http://images.circleofmoms.com/images/moms/link_badge.png" title="Circle of Moms Top 25 Moms with Inspiring Families - 2012 - Vote for me!" /></a>Holly Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01036505769141596868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1706341984720811067.post-70763457698081011452012-02-15T03:04:00.000-06:002012-02-15T03:04:02.900-06:00Stronger Yet WeakerMost days here are pretty much the same as the previous day and the next day. I spend an abundance of time hanging around the guest house with the girls. The girls love to play with their toys and are content with what they have. To keep from going absolutely stir crazy I and whoever is staying with me at the time have developed the habit of taking walks. The girls like to walk some usually the first and last little bit of the walks. For the majority or the “meat” of the trips they ride in two worn out and dirty umbrella strollers. We hauled these strollers all the way from America to Africa. They started out in decent shape but are bordering the end of their days. I just hope they can hold out until the end of this trip. Walking on roads here is not at all like walking at home. Some of the roads are paved most are not. A large portion of the time the path that we are adventuring on feels like a mountain bike trail. My two little strollers were not quite designed for these trails but keep putting along.<br /><br /><br /><br />We walk here out of something to do. A typical day involves at least one walk with a duration of no less than one hour. Kampala is a city that has a very high elevation, that similar to Denver, Colorado. Also flat is not a word I would use to describe this city. It is anything but flat. Everywhere you go there are huge hills to enjoy walking down and to sweat while climbing up them. Due to the fact that we are located on a few miles north of the equator it is a bit warm here. Any length of walk usually means one will need a shower afterwards due to the ridiculous amount of sweating that our mzungu bodies can produce. We just aren’t used to the direct sunlight, endless heat, and high humidity. Our walks are usually quite pointless. They are considered eventful if we need to walk to one of three grocery stores I frequently visit, visit the Friday craft market, or need to exchange money.<br /><br />Since I have been doing these walks I have noticed that physically I am in the best shape of my adult life. Add this to an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables in my diet and I foolishly feel like I could tackle just about anything. A marathon maybe, not really I hate to run. I joke to my friends that if you see me running you ought to look behind me to see what is chasing me. But if for some crazy reason I needed to run I feel like I might actually have a chance. That is as long as I don’t have to run up the hill that is on the way back from the Uchumi grocery store while pushing a stroller.<br /><br />Along with this increase in physical fitness I also feel mentally stronger. After our trip to Russia I remember telling Chad that since I survived that adventure I felt like I could just about survive anything. I was wrong but I definitely feel that way now. This is slightly scary to me because it makes me think that the next adventure will be even more difficult than this. But I don’t want to think about that, I can’t think about that.<br /><br />Mentally I have begun to have the mind set of bring it on. This comes from five months in Africa. The last&nbsp;three of that I have been away from my husband and two mzungu children. I have successfully learned how to maneuver all over this crazy city either on foot or on boda (a type of motorcycle taxi).&nbsp;&nbsp; There are&nbsp;many things that about six months ago I would have told you I can’t do that, I do not want to do that. Now in a scary way I do not even think twice about hoping on a boda (motorcycle) with my two daughters and no helmets to go run an errand. Something that will never happen in Tennessee.<br /><br />Along with feeling stronger both mentally and physically I have is some type of paradigm began to feel weaker. Weaker than I ever knew in spiritual sense. The more I look for answers to this I am understanding that it is okay. I should feel weaker. The closer I get to my Father through out this process the more I realize how far away I am from Him. That doesn’t make much sense when you write it down. The stronger my intimate relationship with Him the more I realize just why I need him. The more apparent my sins and shortcomings become. This causes me to feel further away. But I am not further away because He died for me. He bridged that gap, He has forgiven me. Now all that is left is for me to love and obey Him.Holly Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01036505769141596868noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1706341984720811067.post-17739454188957590252012-02-07T06:06:00.000-06:002012-02-07T06:06:21.640-06:00Signs of Becoming UgandanVehicles are called motorcars<br />Napkins are serviettes<br />Bananas and pineapple&nbsp;make up their own food group<br />Coke and other soft drinks are made with pure cane sugar<br />Your feet are permently stained red from the red dirt<br />90 degrees farenheit is cool and requires a jacket<br />Grasshoppers are a snack not an insect<br />Sunscreen is your daily moisturizer<br />Bugspray is your perfume<br />You think nothing about riding on a motorcycle with no helmet<br />Weight is thought of in terms of kilograms<br />Distance is in terms of kilometers<br />Money is shillingsHolly Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01036505769141596868noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1706341984720811067.post-83965716783622355352012-01-31T02:22:00.000-06:002012-01-31T02:22:45.023-06:00My HallelujahsI love worshipping him by singing praises and reading his word but the greatest way for me to show my adoration and devotion is by obeying. Sending praises to God is amazing but in a way they are just words. James says in verses 2:17, “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” The greatest way to show your faith and devotion is by deeds. What better deeds than the one God has asked you to do. God has taught me this lesson many times and it is one that we will always be learning. It is difficult to understand just how much Jesus gave for us. He gave me life, how can I ever repay him. The truth is I can't and I am not expected to and should not try.&nbsp; But I can obey Him. <br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">During the rough times my journal has&nbsp;became tear stained, my face became tear streaked, and my heart poured out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I can not come up with the words to express how I feel, I can not create new words, and there&nbsp;are just not words in the English language to explain my emotions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I wish there were songs to express these feelings, I would sing them if I knew them, if I had been blessed with any amount of musical talent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>But He, my heavenly Father knows what I would say if I could, He knows what I would sing if I could, He understands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Jesus knows at these moments my Hallelujahs to Him&nbsp;are in my tears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>My praises or my Hallelujahs&nbsp;are sent to Him in my prayers and cries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>This&nbsp;is better than any well written or beautifully sung worship song.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>They&nbsp;are better than any Hallelujah.</span>Holly Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01036505769141596868noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1706341984720811067.post-18249854116793144012012-01-25T14:32:00.001-06:002012-01-25T14:33:57.064-06:00Thank you for the Mosquitoes, Mice, and BatsI was recently reminded of a story from a book that I read in my eight grade English class.&nbsp; The book is <u>The Hiding Place</u> by Corrie Ten Boom and I am sure many of you are familiar with it.&nbsp; Corrie was a Jew who was placed in a concentration camp with her sister.&nbsp; When they arrived at the barraks they were appauled by the conditions&nbsp;in which they were to live.&nbsp; Her sister reminded her of I Thessalonians 5:18 "give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."&nbsp; The sisters then went around their surrounding thanking God.&nbsp; Corrie's sister even&nbsp;thanked God for the fleas.&nbsp; Later on in their story the girls were able to host a Bible study uninterrupted in their barracks.&nbsp; Why?&nbsp; Fleas,&nbsp;the guards would not enter their barracks because of the fleas.<br />God does not command us to think Him only for the good, but He&nbsp;commands us to&nbsp;thank Him for everything.&nbsp; <br /><br />Today I was having a hard day, actually it has been a hard week.&nbsp; I having been praying "Lord, could something just go my way."&nbsp; My eyes have been opened, I should not be asking for something, but I should be giving thanks.&nbsp; Tonight as a lie here in bed in the most beautiful country I have ever been in I am not asking but I am saying thank you.<br /><br />Thank you for these two precious little girls that are asleep next to me.&nbsp; Thank you for my husband, Sadie, and Nolen.&nbsp; Thank you for saving me, loving me, and giving me life.&nbsp; Thank you for the&nbsp;"mess of paperwork" that has kept me here.&nbsp; Thank you for the sunburn on my shoulders, the endless heat, the mosquitoes, Smokey the mouse, and the bats on the porch.&nbsp; Thank YouHolly Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01036505769141596868noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1706341984720811067.post-90004094401077692932012-01-20T06:05:00.001-06:002012-01-20T06:09:18.903-06:00Rough Week/ Good WeekWell this has been a rough week.&nbsp; My neighbor that lived across the street from the house I grew up in used to say "I have seen it go on like this for days and then get worse."&nbsp; That is how I feel right now.<br />We did not make much progress in the adoption "paperwork."&nbsp; We are still waiting on a meeting to take place that will have&nbsp;significant&nbsp;effects on our case.&nbsp; I do not kow when this will be but please remember it in your prayers.&nbsp; <br />This week I also got to feel Ugandan.&nbsp; I have been feeling "Ugandan" for a while now but I think I was missing one experience that was truely African.&nbsp; Malaria.&nbsp; Yes, I have been in the bed sick with malaria and a bacterial infection.&nbsp; I have had the joy of going to the clinic, having lab work done, and receiving IV fluids and antibiotics.&nbsp;&nbsp;I will say that going to the&nbsp;doctor here was much more pleasant than the dr. in Russia.&nbsp; Being sick with two three year olds running around has not been fun.&nbsp; I keep reminding myself "this too shall pass."<br />The girls have been well behaved while mommy has been out of commission.&nbsp; The staff at the house has helped me out a lot with them.&nbsp; They have been my nannys and without them I am not sure I would have survived this week.<br />Even though it was rough it was also good.&nbsp; This week I have been reminded of how much my God protects me.&nbsp; How much He comforts me.&nbsp; I have had to lean on Him this week and seek my comfort in Him.&nbsp; And that has made it a good week.&nbsp; <br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.&nbsp; Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9</blockquote>Holly Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01036505769141596868noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1706341984720811067.post-26772432692166703692012-01-17T05:55:00.000-06:002012-01-17T05:55:56.423-06:00MLK DayI know I should have posted this yesterday seeing that yesterday was Martin Luther King Jr. day.&nbsp; However, being in Uganda it is easy to forget about the holidays that we celebrate in America therefore I am posting it a day late.&nbsp; This is my favorite MLK Jr. qoute from his "I have a dream" speech.<br /><br />"I have a dream that one day little black boys and girls will be holding hands with little white boys and girls."<br />Martin L. King Jr.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-na1uSd_FxpY/TxVhLWrO55I/AAAAAAAAAcA/CuUhIGfnjMk/s1600/100_4768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-na1uSd_FxpY/TxVhLWrO55I/AAAAAAAAAcA/CuUhIGfnjMk/s320/100_4768.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BwLlQD3jyOc/TxVhOJ8ZxEI/AAAAAAAAAcI/tSCsWC4alkQ/s1600/100_5364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BwLlQD3jyOc/TxVhOJ8ZxEI/AAAAAAAAAcI/tSCsWC4alkQ/s320/100_5364.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hQvwiC1iq84/TxVhRsRoCZI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/qoWvG4tspnk/s1600/100_5488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hQvwiC1iq84/TxVhRsRoCZI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/qoWvG4tspnk/s320/100_5488.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OFQziQUAov4/TxVhbLf9KMI/AAAAAAAAAcg/wl8LavaJEzI/s1600/DSC01010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OFQziQUAov4/TxVhbLf9KMI/AAAAAAAAAcg/wl8LavaJEzI/s320/DSC01010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Holly Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01036505769141596868noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1706341984720811067.post-67163566856745809542012-01-16T04:18:00.000-06:002012-01-16T04:18:29.307-06:00Sadie's PrayerThis weekend I was having my daily skype conversation with Chad and the kids.&nbsp; As usual Sadie asked me when I was coming home with her sisters.&nbsp; My answer is typically "just a few more night nights."&nbsp; Sadie measures her time in how many times she must sleep before something happens.&nbsp; I love it and it is just one of those precious little things about her.&nbsp; She informed that she had been praying everyday for the paperwork to get done so I can bring her sisters home.&nbsp; And then she blessed my heart.<br />Right there on skype she bowed her head, closed her eyes, and began to pray for me and the girls.&nbsp; She prayed in the sweetest voice and&nbsp;with the most precious words.&nbsp; I do not even think she really understands "paperwork" but she prayed her heart out for ours to get completed.&nbsp; I loved every bit of it.&nbsp; Chad and I just sat in awe and got a bit tearey eyed over hearing our little girl pray such a grown up prayer.<br /><br />This week has big potential for us.&nbsp; The details of this I unfortunately can not disclose to you, don't feel left out, very few people truely understand all that is happening.&nbsp; However, prayer is definitely needed.&nbsp; Please specifically pray for the hearts of a few Ugandans who will have the opportunity this week to move our case forward.&nbsp; I do not know when this meeting will happen so please lift our case up this week.<br />Thank youHolly Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01036505769141596868noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1706341984720811067.post-4117949605398317792012-01-11T23:19:00.000-06:002012-01-11T23:19:32.174-06:00He ForgotDuring my fourth month of being Ugandan, my husband had to do some Mr. Mom type things. He is back in Tennessee with Sadie and Nolen and this week got to take them to their first day back to school and to the dentist. This was Nolen’s first complete dental cleaning visit and I wish I could have been there to comfort him because he gets a bit nervous about things like this. He has had his teeth looked at before and had to have some minor oral surgery but never a complete cleaning. This was also a first for Chad. It was his first time taking a kid to the dentist. I do not know who was more nervous him or them. I am glad to report that they all did wonderfully.<br /><br /><br />During Nolen’s visit Chad had to fill out a history form. A few questions about some spots on his teeth came up after the exam. I asked Chad if he informed the doctor about Nolen’s history. For the first seventeen months of his life, Nolen essentially lived in a baby bed. When we got custody of him we are pretty confident that we gave him his first bath and brushed his teeth for the first time. <br /><br />Chad told me when I asked him about talking to the doctor about Nolen’s medical history that he forgot. Me being the “why” child that I am of coarse had to follow up with “Why not?” Chad corrected himself and explained his answer in a way that spoke to my heart and brought tears to my eyes. You see he did not mean that&nbsp;he forgot to tell the dentist. Chad said he forgot that we had not had Nolen his whole life. He meant he forgot he was adopted.<br /><br />I love that. Even though our family shows outward physical signs of being a family with adopted children we forget that they are adopted. They are all our children.Holly Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01036505769141596868noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1706341984720811067.post-46272942230683127502012-01-11T12:02:00.001-06:002012-01-13T12:25:58.187-06:00Many Words of Encouragment and Some Not So MuchWhile being chosen and blessed to be “stuck” in Uganda I have had more emails and facebook messages than I can count. Most of them are words of encouragement. Many of them also include Bible verses to lift me up on my not so great days. These messages are invaluable, priceless as a mastercard commercial would say. It is amazing how an encouraging word can come just when you need it and when you least expect it. However, I was shocked at the not so encouraging messages I have received. I have actually been sent some forms of hate mail, messages not meant to lift me up, not meant to encourage me. I always thought that if Satan was taking the time to attack me that I must be doing something that he did not like. I like to look at my not nice messages as confirmation that I must be doing something right. Oddly enough these not so nice messages are the ones that motivate me. The ones that light a fire under me, get me going, praying, and writing. <br /><br />During the beginning of my fourth month in Africa I received a message from someone very close to me stating that many people at home in America were “worried that we would move to Africa.” When I think about the “what if” senario I can’t understand why anyone would worry, and even more so I realize that I should not care what others will think if I’m doing what I’m been called to do. I think I care because I want people to understand our family and my passion.<br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">“Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." Galatians 1:10</span></div>Holly Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01036505769141596868noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1706341984720811067.post-82712235877724348662012-01-05T05:35:00.001-06:002012-01-05T05:40:26.009-06:00I Will Not Leave YouMany times over the past few months and by many different people I have been asked the question, "Why don't you just leave the girls until their paperwork is ready and then return to bring them home?"&nbsp; I am in no way writting this blog to upset any of you who have posed this question but I am simply wanting to explain why I am here and the decision that our family has made.<br />Yes, I could put the girls back in the orphanage and return to America.&nbsp; I could then return to Uganda&nbsp;to bring them to&nbsp;home once everything was complete.&nbsp; But that scenario does not exist in my&nbsp;world.&nbsp; Everyday I wake up and roll over to four huge coffee&nbsp;bean eyes staring at me, calling me mommy.&nbsp; Everyday I get loved on&nbsp;by the two most beautiful&nbsp;Ugandan children.&nbsp;&nbsp;Of course if I was in America I would&nbsp;wake up to four&nbsp;soft blue eyes staring at me and calling me mommy.&nbsp; And I would&nbsp;get loved on by&nbsp;my mzungu children and my husband.<br />So how does one choose?&nbsp;&nbsp;This was&nbsp;by no means a decision that has been easy.&nbsp; No matter what descision&nbsp;was made our family would not be together.&nbsp; Either way the hurt of being split by the Atlantic&nbsp;Ocean would exists.&nbsp; But we must decide what is best for our children.&nbsp; Right now the twins&nbsp;need me.&nbsp; We have spent the last four months&nbsp;developing an extremely close bond.&nbsp; At first they&nbsp;would not let me love on them and were not very trusting.&nbsp; Now they want&nbsp;an abundance of love and our trust is&nbsp;constantly strenthening.&nbsp; I am their mother and they are my children.&nbsp; To send them back would be detrimental to our relationship, it is just not an&nbsp;option.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />So here I am.&nbsp; Here I will stay until their paperwork is ready.&nbsp; One verse is ever present in my mind lately and that is John 14:18.<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.</blockquote>Jesus spoke this to his disciples just before he was arrested.&nbsp; He did not leave me as an orphan and I will not leave them.Holly Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01036505769141596868noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1706341984720811067.post-1573671404125874062012-01-03T04:54:00.000-06:002012-01-03T04:54:00.114-06:00A Week In Photos<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4gRVkI27i00/TwLcPrLwEKI/AAAAAAAAAbY/rbHESG-bLfo/s1600/DSC_0456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4gRVkI27i00/TwLcPrLwEKI/AAAAAAAAAbY/rbHESG-bLfo/s320/DSC_0456.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going to eat at a restaurant to celebrate my birthday.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JRzly4nUF4c/TwLcngpZVuI/AAAAAAAAAbo/HzScb0t5w5M/s1600/DSC_0498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JRzly4nUF4c/TwLcngpZVuI/AAAAAAAAAbo/HzScb0t5w5M/s320/DSC_0498.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tpy2kZNa49s/TwLcxlemuEI/AAAAAAAAAbw/yRT2hXYXK7M/s1600/DSC_0503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tpy2kZNa49s/TwLcxlemuEI/AAAAAAAAAbw/yRT2hXYXK7M/s320/DSC_0503.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jjWorbfidI8/TwLdGdC5GfI/AAAAAAAAAb4/kU-TGJgOGd0/s1600/DSC_0428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jjWorbfidI8/TwLdGdC5GfI/AAAAAAAAAb4/kU-TGJgOGd0/s320/DSC_0428.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meeting Katie Davis</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tUqdoOFrPI0/TwLbkbZORgI/AAAAAAAAAa4/xAZVRR76DP4/s1600/DSC_0431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tUqdoOFrPI0/TwLbkbZORgI/AAAAAAAAAa4/xAZVRR76DP4/s320/DSC_0431.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riding around Jinja. &nbsp;Riding side saddle, a backpack, one kid, two strollers, and no helmets. &nbsp;Only in Africa.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-00GKdTXhlEs/TwLbb96aN0I/AAAAAAAAAaw/YKM79fj77O8/s1600/DSC_0365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-00GKdTXhlEs/TwLbb96aN0I/AAAAAAAAAaw/YKM79fj77O8/s320/DSC_0365.JPG" width="291" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Auntie Heather and girls on the Nile River</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--0ORqPPve4c/TwLbV4SKwMI/AAAAAAAAAao/qGvoT6v5EsE/s1600/DSC_0310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--0ORqPPve4c/TwLbV4SKwMI/AAAAAAAAAao/qGvoT6v5EsE/s320/DSC_0310.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A monkey near the Nile River.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ogoLkwBeaCo/TwLb_hEjRdI/AAAAAAAAAbI/jZn_FJrAotw/s1600/DSC02473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ogoLkwBeaCo/TwLb_hEjRdI/AAAAAAAAAbI/jZn_FJrAotw/s320/DSC02473.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Auntie Heather and Liana</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qmzjiYVCmNY/TwLcKi1roVI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/TVMLbRzuhjE/s1600/DSC_0444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qmzjiYVCmNY/TwLcKi1roVI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/TVMLbRzuhjE/s320/DSC_0444.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls love their Christmas presents.</td></tr></tbody></table>Holly Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01036505769141596868noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1706341984720811067.post-40736769329937233532011-12-28T06:31:00.001-06:002011-12-28T07:58:22.603-06:00He Knows What I Need Before I Need ItAs this journey progresses I am constantly reminded of how God knows what I need before I do.&nbsp; This became apparent in a big way this past weekend.&nbsp; While on our way from Kampala to Jinja to celebrate Christmas at the orphanage our driver pulled over on the side of the road.&nbsp; He said we had just passed one of his friends whose car had broken down on the side of the road.&nbsp; The two drivers conversed for a bit and then they asked Heather and I if we would mind sharing our car.&nbsp; <br />The other driver was bringing a mzungu lady and her daughter back to Jinja for Christmas.&nbsp; Heather and I did not mind sharing&nbsp;and by African standards we had plenty of room in the car.&nbsp; This was a small sedan that ended up carrying seven people.&nbsp; We enjoyed the coversation with the&nbsp;two ladies.&nbsp; Their family was a missionary family that have lived in Jinja for 25 years.&nbsp; The mother was a nurse and the daughter recently graduated from Union University in Tennessee.&nbsp; We found plenty of topics of conversation to talk about for the three hour drive.&nbsp; When we dropped them off in Jinja I exchanged contact information with the mother, Mrs. Evelyn.<br /><br />After our trip to the orphanage for Christmas we then travelled to Jinja for two nights.&nbsp; We were there to do a bit of the touristy things and get a break from Kampala.&nbsp; During our first few hours in Jinja we noticed large sores developing on Hadley's legs.&nbsp; I have never seen anything like these before.&nbsp; They were large about the size of a half dollar and developed dime size blisters on top of them.&nbsp; Her legs became very painful and she developed a fever.&nbsp; After exhausting an internet search to determine what was going on I finally remembered the nurse we had met a few days ago.&nbsp; It was late in the evening but I called her anyway.<br />The next morning Mrs. Evelyn showed up at our guest house with her medical bag in tow.&nbsp; She gave Hadley a good look over.&nbsp; Once we determined what was going on Mrs. Evelyn then drove us to a pharmacy and assisted me in purchasing the correct dosage of the needed antibiotic.&nbsp; Hadley is now recovering from her skin strep infection and should be good as new in a few days.<br /><br />I know that Mrs. Evelyn's driver's car broke down on the side of Jinja rode just so we would know a nurse to call.&nbsp; She was truely God sent.&nbsp; <br /><br />Matthew 6:8<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">". . . For your Father knows just what you need before you ask Him."</blockquote>Holly Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01036505769141596868noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1706341984720811067.post-73884711281241119982011-12-27T12:53:00.002-06:002011-12-27T23:19:10.015-06:00Christmas In AfricaWhat an experience. &nbsp;The Lord knew just what I needed this year and He gave it to me in a big way. &nbsp;As silly as it sounds the one thing I needed this year was to laugh. &nbsp;I knew spending time with Heather would result in a lot of laughter but Christmas was an experience I will never forget.<br />A few days before a lady whom I have meet several times stayed at our home in Kampala. &nbsp;She is the director of an orphanage just outside of Jinja. &nbsp;Kathy did not want us to be alone on Christmas so she invited us to spend it at her orphanage. &nbsp;We weren't doing anything else so we said yes.<br />We left for the orphanage Saturday after lunch. &nbsp;We were going to spend one night there and then spend another two nights in Jinja. <br />A bit about the home. &nbsp;There are 16 children that live there, both boys and girls. &nbsp;The children range from around eight years old to fifteen years old.<br />When we arrived the children had made us a wonderful sign on a chalkboard in the yard. &nbsp;They all ran out to the car to great us. &nbsp;Several young men immediately grabbed our luggage and carried it inside while some of the girls picked up my twins and took them to play. &nbsp;When we arrived we were shown to our room. &nbsp;We stayed in one of the girls rooms that had two sets of bunk beds in it. &nbsp;We also quickly realized that as is typical in Uganda there was no electricity. &nbsp;There was also no running water which means you can't flush the toilets or take a shower. &nbsp;After settling our things into our room we went outside to meet the children.<br />We were quickly told of the Christmas plans: we would eat a Christmas Eve dinner, have a bonfire, open stockings in the morning, and go to church on Sunday morning. &nbsp;It sounded pretty good to us so we just went with it.<br />Christmas Dinner: &nbsp;The orphanage is scheduled to be moving into a new home in a few weeks. &nbsp;That new home is located more in the city and no farm animals are aloud. &nbsp;This was a problem because they had a pet goat named Cowboy. &nbsp;What do you do with a pet goat in Uganda when you need to get rid of it? &nbsp;You turn it into Christmas dinner. &nbsp;We got to experience the children butchering their pet. &nbsp;Some of the kids were not happy about this but many of the older boys took to it without any problem. &nbsp;Heather and I just laughed. &nbsp;Cowboy was quickly delt with and made his way into the stew pot for dinner. &nbsp;The children then thought it would be a good idea to play with his hide. &nbsp;This was quite disturbing but we just laughed it off.<br />After our feast of rice and Cowboy everyone went outside for a bonfire and to sing Christmas carols. &nbsp;The children wanted a Christmas tree but without one around they had to improvise. &nbsp;They trimmed the bushes and then tied the trimmings to a pole to make a tree. &nbsp;Heather and I helped them make a paper chain to decorate the tree. &nbsp;Singing Christmas carols and praise songs around the bonfire was a wonderful experience. &nbsp;The children sang from deep in their hearts. &nbsp;By the end of the bonfire I had two children (none of which were my girls) asleep in my lap. &nbsp;It was wonderful.<br />Then we made our way back to the house to go to bed. &nbsp;We brushed our teeth with water we had brought with us and vowed not to drink much because we did not want to need to use the bathroom. &nbsp;Heather and I each slept on the bottom bunks with the girls because the top bunk beds just swayed too much for our comfort. &nbsp;We quickly realized that there were an abundance of cockroaches staying with us. &nbsp;Heather was wonderful, she killed about two dozen of the little friends. &nbsp;After that we decided it would be best just to turn off the lights because at least that way we couldn't see them crawling on the walls.<br />Sunday morning we woke up to the sound of many happy children. &nbsp;Each child received a stocking containing things such as socks, flashlights, underwear, candy, and toothbrushes. &nbsp;They were so pleased with their goodies. &nbsp;Hadley and Liana even had their own stockings. &nbsp;We ate a light breakfast and the got ready for church. &nbsp;Heather and I escorted 18 children to church by ourselves.<br />In the end it was a wonderful experience. &nbsp;It was such a blessing to see the children and how happy they were. &nbsp;They were mostly thankful for a roof over their heads and full bellies. <br />This experience definitely filled my heart. &nbsp;And you never know maybe goat will make it on the menu next year.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GSqN3jsuono/TvoTKZNQ64I/AAAAAAAAAaE/R7PkwyNhB50/s1600/DSC_0260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GSqN3jsuono/TvoTKZNQ64I/AAAAAAAAAaE/R7PkwyNhB50/s320/DSC_0260.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tF2Ety2i668/TvoTUCU3z-I/AAAAAAAAAaM/ksCmx1R8CVw/s1600/DSC_0216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tF2Ety2i668/TvoTUCU3z-I/AAAAAAAAAaM/ksCmx1R8CVw/s320/DSC_0216.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ax2o5pp_J7E/TvoTlQP_XPI/AAAAAAAAAaU/3fjJ5hi226E/s1600/DSC_0230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ax2o5pp_J7E/TvoTlQP_XPI/AAAAAAAAAaU/3fjJ5hi226E/s320/DSC_0230.JPG" width="250" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LFSI8gzCDkY/TvoT0rwK_bI/AAAAAAAAAac/Mk0u9_IY2tQ/s1600/DSC_0219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LFSI8gzCDkY/TvoT0rwK_bI/AAAAAAAAAac/Mk0u9_IY2tQ/s320/DSC_0219.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>Holly Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01036505769141596868noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1706341984720811067.post-50241736921590075722011-12-23T02:35:00.001-06:002011-12-23T02:35:47.991-06:00Best and Hardest Time to be Here<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1CO28EPalWo/TvQ7btZU9cI/AAAAAAAAAZk/_YhUNYFBlU4/s1600/DSC_0136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1CO28EPalWo/TvQ7btZU9cI/AAAAAAAAAZk/_YhUNYFBlU4/s320/DSC_0136.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />Christmas. &nbsp;Yes that is a reality that is becoming more real to me every minute. &nbsp;I am going to spend Christmas in Africa away from Chad, Sadie, and Nolen. &nbsp;To think about that is hard and painful. &nbsp;It hurts to think about them decorating cookies for Santa, reading the Christmas story, and spending the day together without me. &nbsp;It is emotionally painful to the point that it is physical. &nbsp;I have seen photos of six stocking hanging from my mantel and a Christmas ornament with all of our names on it. &nbsp;It is difficult to see these because they make it more real to me. &nbsp;I know they miss me, I miss them. &nbsp;But everyday I spend here in Uganda, away from them is another lesson I am learning, another day I am becoming closer to my heavenly Father, and another day I am doing what I am supposed to be doing. <br />Why is this the best time to be here? &nbsp;I think if I was in Uganda any other time of the year I would learn the lesson of just how blessed my family is. &nbsp;We have a nice home, cars, and most importantly food to eat. &nbsp;But being here during Christmas makes the extras in my life more apparent. &nbsp;Christmas gifts are all but ignored here. &nbsp;People just don't have the resources to buy any. &nbsp;After talking to many Ugandans it is a special treat for kids to get a pair of shoes for Christmas. &nbsp;What would my kids think if they got a pair of shoes for Christmas? &nbsp;Would they be grateful or disappointed? &nbsp;More than likely they would be disappointed. &nbsp;That is not what I want. &nbsp;I would love for them to learn just how blessed they are. &nbsp;They got to see glimpses of it while here. &nbsp;If I was in Tennessee this holiday season I would and should struggle greatly to be buying an abundance of unneeded items for my kiddos when there are kids here that are literally starving to death.<br />Families here celebrate Christ's birth and nothing else. &nbsp;There are no gifts to distract from that. &nbsp;You see a few decorations as a reminder but these are very scarce. &nbsp;Christmas is spent together as a family. &nbsp;It is very nice to see people celebrating without all the commercialization.<br />To help us attempt to get into the Christmas spirit Heather and I decorated a few Christmas trees and reindeer that she brought with her. &nbsp;It is just hard to get into it when it is very hot. &nbsp;Yesterday we were at the grocery store and they were playing "Walking in A Winter Wonderland." &nbsp;This was very amusing because the sun was shining and it was 90 degrees.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fKQ4NXvip3I/TvQ7ri0MGuI/AAAAAAAAAZw/Gg1qx_bDnV8/s1600/IMG_0346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fKQ4NXvip3I/TvQ7ri0MGuI/AAAAAAAAAZw/Gg1qx_bDnV8/s320/IMG_0346.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IFYOCAufvVU/TvQ7vBTT0LI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/V4N_LuNBEfE/s1600/IMG_0381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IFYOCAufvVU/TvQ7vBTT0LI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/V4N_LuNBEfE/s320/IMG_0381.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Holly Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01036505769141596868noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1706341984720811067.post-31684804151321656482011-12-19T05:45:00.000-06:002011-12-19T05:45:13.222-06:00ReinforcementsLast week my <span style="font-family: inherit;">"reinforcements," as my mother would say arrived.&nbsp; I picked Heather up from the airport shortly after midnight on Thursday morning.&nbsp; I was so excited to see her and can't wait to get to share this country I have grown to love with her.</span><br />Heather brought with her many surprises for me.&nbsp; In her suitcases were the various items I had requested such as vitamins, a few toiletries, snacks, and new shoes for the girls.&nbsp; Thank you so much to all of you who helped gather these items for me.&nbsp; I do not know all who helped with this so I am just going to say one big THANK YOU.&nbsp; It is funny how after three months in Africa the sight of new deodorant and a new toothbrush can get you excited. But it can.<br />I also had several surprises in her bags.&nbsp; Thursday morning at around 2 am I enjoyed a homemade mini pecan pie and a "knock you naked" brownie.&nbsp; Thank you so much to Misti and Mary Bea for baking these for me.&nbsp; I have been thoroughly enjoying them and am trying to make them last as long as possible.<br />Also in Heather's suitcases were 26 pairs of shoes.&nbsp; Not shoes for my girls but shoes to be given away.&nbsp; I think every extra square inch of her luggage was crammed with shoes.&nbsp; It has been such a blessing to get to give these shoes to children who do not have any.&nbsp; Today Heather and I were walking and we passed by the little girl who a few weeks ago I gave Liana shoes to.&nbsp; The lady immediately recognized us and once again gave many thanks.&nbsp; This Christmas is definitely going to be a lesson in giving and not receiving.&nbsp; And Heather and I are going to be the ones truely blessed.<br />She also brought with her some new books and crafts for me to do.&nbsp; I have been enjoying a few new cross stitching projects and when they are done I will proudly show off my work.&nbsp; I was also excited for new books to read and an e-reader loaded with books.<br /><br />Thank you so much for everyone who helped load up Heather's suitcases.Holly Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01036505769141596868noreply@blogger.com1